Filipino kids to benefit from Azkals’ Doha visit Saturday, 04 February 2012 01:16

Children playing football barefoot in the Iloilo province, now considered the football capital of the Philippines.

By CHRIS V PANGANIBAN

DOHA: Young boys playing football on barefoot from a small town in central Philippines would be benefited much when the Philippine national football team Azkals make their debut friendly match here against the popular Al Ahli football club on February 13.

Denrei Catalan, president of Pinoy Futbol Qatar (PFQ), said Al Ahli Club manager Hussein Al Amri has agreed with PFQ to donate football spike shoes and game equipment for the barefoot kids continuously undergoing training in Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo province, now considered the football capital of the Philippines.

Catalan said there are still many eager young poor yet promising boys in his hometown in Barotac Nuevo who had been training hard in football in spite of the lack of personal gear especially football shoes that they play at the field barefooted most of the time.

“These children who really have great potentials to become national players would be very glad if they will be provided even with second-hand football spike shoes,” Catalan said adding that Al Amri was moved and committed to extend such need next month.

To show their solidarity, members of the newly-formed PFQ who were mostly former varsity football players back in college played at the Al Ahli football field barefooted to get the “feel” of how hard it is playing a rugged game like football without sports shoes.

“If you share the same mission with us, join our group and be an instrument of change. Back in the Philippines, most kids or even adults play football without shoes simply because they cannot afford to have one,” PQF said in their statement during their first official meeting last week.

PQF has initiated the much awaited charity friendly match between the very popular Azkals and  highly competitiveAl Ahli Football Club which is expected to draw a huge 20,000 crowd considering that two famous brothers Phil and James Younghusband will see action during the game.

Chieffy Caligdong, one of the reliable players of Azkals who also hails from Barotac Nuevo and experienced playing football barefooted as a young boy, will also play during the match.

Meanwhile, ticket sales have already been picking up for the match as organisers expect these would be sold out next week. Tickets are now sold at different grocery stores around the country with prices ranging from QR30, QR50, QR100 and QR150.

Cristina Marinas, who heads the organizing body’s promotional group, said those who will buy the QR150 VVIP ticket will have the chance to “meet and greet” the Azkal players including the pre-game practice.

Marinas said most of the ticket buyers are females since the Younghusband brothers are immensely popular back home with their good looks that they are now even showbiz icons.

Other Azkals stars are also European-born but with Filipino roots.

The Peninsula

| More...